Rob Weinert-Kendt
@robkendt.bsky.social
Editor of American Theatre magazine, musical omnivore. trainmyear.blogspot.com
Reposted by Rob Weinert-Kendt
My great-uncle was born in the Russian Empire and wrote God Bless America
Rep. Kat Cammarck: "Today, one in six people in the US is foreign born. That quite frankly is not sustainable to maintain a culture that we are known for here in the United States."
December 2, 2025 at 5:18 PM
My great-uncle was born in the Russian Empire and wrote God Bless America
Though written by pianist Jon Cowherd, the meditative, hymn-like title track of this great 2014 Brian Blade Fellowship record starts with a searching solo by Chris Thomas on bass, and somehow the whole song feels conceived from within the soul of a bass. #dailysong
Landmarks
YouTube video by Brian Blade - Topic
youtu.be
December 2, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Though written by pianist Jon Cowherd, the meditative, hymn-like title track of this great 2014 Brian Blade Fellowship record starts with a searching solo by Chris Thomas on bass, and somehow the whole song feels conceived from within the soul of a bass. #dailysong
From Judee Sill to Iggy Pop, Raye to Yaz, with an extra helping of Jimmy Cliff, last week's Music Diary is up
Music Diary, Vol. 99
trainmyear.blogspot.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:08 PM
From Judee Sill to Iggy Pop, Raye to Yaz, with an extra helping of Jimmy Cliff, last week's Music Diary is up
Another thing I can thank Kirk Hamilton's great Strong Songs podcast for: pointing me to this essential Roy Hargrove "crossover" record from 2003. It's a jazz-hip-hop-funk party in a box. #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/7ocjym...
December 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Another thing I can thank Kirk Hamilton's great Strong Songs podcast for: pointing me to this essential Roy Hargrove "crossover" record from 2003. It's a jazz-hip-hop-funk party in a box. #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/7ocjym...
Reposted by Rob Weinert-Kendt
Well here we have a quality typo
December 1, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Well here we have a quality typo
Love this point from @helenshaw.bsky.social about the way Stoppard’s literary references could be a door, not a barrier www.newyorker.com/culture/post...
December 1, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Love this point from @helenshaw.bsky.social about the way Stoppard’s literary references could be a door, not a barrier www.newyorker.com/culture/post...
Blues and gospel are close siblings, but Blind Willie Johnson’s music allows no distinction between the two genres. His songs sound no less haunted than Robert Johnson’s, and no less beatific than Thomas Dorsey’s. The lamb throws down with the lion. #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/3H90ji...
December 1, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Blues and gospel are close siblings, but Blind Willie Johnson’s music allows no distinction between the two genres. His songs sound no less haunted than Robert Johnson’s, and no less beatific than Thomas Dorsey’s. The lamb throws down with the lion. #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/3H90ji...
Like Dylan's, Judee Sill's work was was full of religious imagery and feeling, no matter what she was singing about. Gospel was in her music too, as this extended version of one of her more apocalyptic tunes makes clear—i.e, it opens with a gratifying 3 minutes of "Pentecostal licks." #dailysong
Enchanted Sky Machines (Live at Boston Music Hall)
YouTube video by Judee Sill - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Like Dylan's, Judee Sill's work was was full of religious imagery and feeling, no matter what she was singing about. Gospel was in her music too, as this extended version of one of her more apocalyptic tunes makes clear—i.e, it opens with a gratifying 3 minutes of "Pentecostal licks." #dailysong
More haunted and hungover than his brilliant solo debut, George Harrison’s 1973 follow-up makes for unsettling and moving listening. 24 years to the day since he slipped from this material world, it still sounds like he’s in the room (because he is). #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/6DfpxC...
Living in the Material World
open.spotify.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:18 AM
More haunted and hungover than his brilliant solo debut, George Harrison’s 1973 follow-up makes for unsettling and moving listening. 24 years to the day since he slipped from this material world, it still sounds like he’s in the room (because he is). #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/6DfpxC...
With this catchy, underrated tune from 2005, Paul McCartney both captures a recognizable scene—waiting on a friend’s friends to clear out for some one-on-one time—and hints at the melancholic isolation of fame (fwiw he said he felt like he was channeling George). #dailysong youtu.be/CuEvbkUzvDE
Friends To Go
YouTube video by Paul McCartney - Topic
youtu.be
November 29, 2025 at 11:03 PM
With this catchy, underrated tune from 2005, Paul McCartney both captures a recognizable scene—waiting on a friend’s friends to clear out for some one-on-one time—and hints at the melancholic isolation of fame (fwiw he said he felt like he was channeling George). #dailysong youtu.be/CuEvbkUzvDE
Reposted by Rob Weinert-Kendt
Thanks to the great @oliviagiovetti.bsky.social, here’s the cricket bat speech. Henry has been asked to evaluate a play by a young guy fresh from prison, whom his very leftie wife has sort of adopted as a pet -
November 29, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Thanks to the great @oliviagiovetti.bsky.social, here’s the cricket bat speech. Henry has been asked to evaluate a play by a young guy fresh from prison, whom his very leftie wife has sort of adopted as a pet -
Many Yes fans swear by this 5-track record from 1977 as one of their best, and after years of trying to hear what they hear, I think I’m closer than ever—mainly because I’ve finally succumbed to the mad, labyrinthine majesty of “Awaken.” #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/5D6az0...
November 28, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Many Yes fans swear by this 5-track record from 1977 as one of their best, and after years of trying to hear what they hear, I think I’m closer than ever—mainly because I’ve finally succumbed to the mad, labyrinthine majesty of “Awaken.” #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/5D6az0...
Digging this grungy all-guitars mix of one of McCartney’s greatest creations and relishing anew the 2 notes that cinch it: the dominant-7th leap on “find there” and the minor 3rd (Bb) over the major chord (G) on “Got to get you.” Also: Love how the guitar outlines the horn charts. #dailysong
The Beatles - Got To Get You Into My Life (Second Version / Unnumbered Mix)
YouTube video by TheBeatlesVEVO
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Digging this grungy all-guitars mix of one of McCartney’s greatest creations and relishing anew the 2 notes that cinch it: the dominant-7th leap on “find there” and the minor 3rd (Bb) over the major chord (G) on “Got to get you.” Also: Love how the guitar outlines the horn charts. #dailysong
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Yes
U2
Elvis Costello
Madison Cunningham
Chappell Roan
Yes
U2
Elvis Costello
Madison Cunningham
Chappell Roan
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen:
Paul McCartney
Elvis Costello
Prince
Regina Spektor
The Replacements
Paul McCartney
Elvis Costello
Prince
Regina Spektor
The Replacements
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Billy Joel
Elton John
Billy Joel AND Elton John
P!nk
Barenaked Ladies
Billy Joel
Elton John
Billy Joel AND Elton John
P!nk
Barenaked Ladies
November 28, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Yes
U2
Elvis Costello
Madison Cunningham
Chappell Roan
Yes
U2
Elvis Costello
Madison Cunningham
Chappell Roan
I was mostly a snob about synth-heavy New Wave while it was happening, but I always admired Alison Moyet's powerhouse pipes. What a belated pleasure it is now to spend a day letting this lush 1982 record wash over me. Fave track: "Bad Connection." #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/47FOg0...
November 27, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I was mostly a snob about synth-heavy New Wave while it was happening, but I always admired Alison Moyet's powerhouse pipes. What a belated pleasure it is now to spend a day letting this lush 1982 record wash over me. Fave track: "Bad Connection." #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/47FOg0...
Cootie Williams’s trumpet is out front on this catchy jazz cut, for which he’s credited as the writer, though a few other boldface names are involved (clarinetist Barney Bigard, pianist Duke Ellington). I’m a sucker for tunes built on this kind of Beiderbecke-ian arpeggio. #dailysong
Barney Bigard & His Jazzopators - Frolic Sam
YouTube video by Jazz Scores
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Cootie Williams’s trumpet is out front on this catchy jazz cut, for which he’s credited as the writer, though a few other boldface names are involved (clarinetist Barney Bigard, pianist Duke Ellington). I’m a sucker for tunes built on this kind of Beiderbecke-ian arpeggio. #dailysong
Reposted by Rob Weinert-Kendt
A handy rule of thumb I learned writing criticism is that most people will sort of mildly like most of the things they watch, only occasionally tipping over into outright love or hate. It's the people who mildly DISLIKE a thing and get mad others don't who drive too much online discourse.
November 27, 2025 at 2:40 AM
A handy rule of thumb I learned writing criticism is that most people will sort of mildly like most of the things they watch, only occasionally tipping over into outright love or hate. It's the people who mildly DISLIKE a thing and get mad others don't who drive too much online discourse.
One of the all-time single-chord jams, this Eleni Mandell classic has a lip-smacking malevolence that’s all the keener for being underplayed. I always savor the bongo fills that enter around 1:31; they sound like a rattlesnake. #dailysong youtu.be/FKglgs3H1Uc
Pauline
YouTube video by Eleni Mandell - Topic
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 2:19 AM
One of the all-time single-chord jams, this Eleni Mandell classic has a lip-smacking malevolence that’s all the keener for being underplayed. I always savor the bongo fills that enter around 1:31; they sound like a rattlesnake. #dailysong youtu.be/FKglgs3H1Uc
I prefer their third record, BLACK AND WHITE, but there’s no denying the visceral power of The Stranglers’ aggressive, arresting 1977 debut, whose rich musical layers reward repeat listens. The bonus tracks are some of my faves here. #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/38lyLe...
November 26, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I prefer their third record, BLACK AND WHITE, but there’s no denying the visceral power of The Stranglers’ aggressive, arresting 1977 debut, whose rich musical layers reward repeat listens. The bonus tracks are some of my faves here. #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/38lyLe...
too real
did i get anything done today? no. but did i relax? also no.
November 25, 2025 at 10:04 PM
too real
Guitarists Carlos Alomar and Ricky Gardiner remain the standouts on this still-fresh-sounding Iggy Pop classic, though of course its guiding, shaping personality is the inimitable, irrepressible Osterberg himself, under strong Bowie influence. #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/2jnV6y...
November 25, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Guitarists Carlos Alomar and Ricky Gardiner remain the standouts on this still-fresh-sounding Iggy Pop classic, though of course its guiding, shaping personality is the inimitable, irrepressible Osterberg himself, under strong Bowie influence. #dailyalbum open.spotify.com/album/2jnV6y...
Reposted by Rob Weinert-Kendt
This edition of Roll Call features leaders and artists who are standing out in the Boston theatre community, behind the scenes, onstage, and in administration and education.
www.americantheatre.org/2025/11/24/6...
www.americantheatre.org/2025/11/24/6...
6 Theatre Workers You Should Know
This edition features leaders and artists who are standing out in the Boston theatre community.
www.americantheatre.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:20 PM
This edition of Roll Call features leaders and artists who are standing out in the Boston theatre community, behind the scenes, onstage, and in administration and education.
www.americantheatre.org/2025/11/24/6...
www.americantheatre.org/2025/11/24/6...
Reposted by Rob Weinert-Kendt
In English, someone who is being persistently annoying can be referred to as a “pain in the arse.” My favourite German equivalent is Nervensäge, which means “nerve saw”
November 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
In English, someone who is being persistently annoying can be referred to as a “pain in the arse.” My favourite German equivalent is Nervensäge, which means “nerve saw”
From the Stanley Brothers to Stravinsky, from Laufey to Kurt Weill, last week's Music Diary is up
Music Diary, Vol. 98
trainmyear.blogspot.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM
From the Stanley Brothers to Stravinsky, from Laufey to Kurt Weill, last week's Music Diary is up
Playing through this iconic Jimmy Cliff tune today, I noticed one thing that makes it work so well: Apart from the instrumental intro, he doesn’t land on the song’s home chord (D-flat) until the end of the chorus. The longer the wait, the harder it hits. #dailysong youtu.be/BpQrLUopf-k
The Harder They Come
YouTube video by Jimmy Cliff - Topic
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Playing through this iconic Jimmy Cliff tune today, I noticed one thing that makes it work so well: Apart from the instrumental intro, he doesn’t land on the song’s home chord (D-flat) until the end of the chorus. The longer the wait, the harder it hits. #dailysong youtu.be/BpQrLUopf-k